Why do easy jobs always turn out to be difficult?

I've got this Tipo which needs a small repair to the exhaust. Here's me thinking undo a few nuts and bolts, drop the exhaust out and weld a new section in. Ho ho ho I wish.

The clamp holding the down pipe to the engine is well rusted up and a complete bugger. Been soaking it in penetrating oil but no luck as yet. Just gone a bought a blow torch to apply some heat to the area. The good news is all the bolts connecting the downpipe came off without breaking the studs so hopefully I'll be ok there.

Why does an hours job always end up taking so long?

That's what garages are for

That would be too easy, anyway if I paid a garage to do it they would charge about 5x what I paid for the car. Having said that after almost slashing my wrist, literally, it might be worthwhile.

Hole in the exhaust? I'd have had a stainless steel jobby on it by now

There seems to be a distinct lack of Tipo tuning parts

Here is the puppy in question, needs a good polish. I haven't touched it since Sunday, so no more progress. A complete new front downpipe is only £50 all in. The Flexi part has failed so hoping to just cutout and replace that bit.

There was a used Sedicivalvole flexi on ebay - probably still is - £99! You're a good way towards a brand new stainless exhaust for £99!

The GT is looking good! How's it cope with them ramps?

this has the 8v engine, is that the same manifold?

Copes with the ramps ok, when I used a couple of bits of wood to help reduce the slope angle.

Well wasn't so bad in the end. Took me a little time today but got the bolt off the clamp which holds the exhaust to the engine and drop the whole exhaust out. The flexipipe is well gone so will probably go for the complete new downpipe unless my brother in-law comes good with a bit of flexipipe. Not sure the refit will be easy, will probably have to jack the backend up and place on stands. Hopefully have a roadworth Tipo again in a couple of weeks. Could probably do with a new nearside handbrake cable which is a little bunched in one spot.. Other jobs to complete are limited to repairing the sunroof which has some rust and started leaking and a good polish and interior clean.

(sorry to go off topic, but myself and virmin just wanted to say)...

Merry Xmas thepottleflump from the other 2 members of the Redhill massive

Thanks! Hope you had a good Xmas too!!!!